Lightweight structural joiner

Abstract

A structural joiner including one or more box beams disposed between inner and outer arcuate surfaces and methods of assembling are described. The extrusions delineate various channels for structural considerations. In an implementation, the joiner may be implemented on a multi-passenger vehicle, such as a bus.

1 . A structural joiner, comprising:
 an inner arcuate surface having extensions;   an outer arcuate surface coupled to the inner arcuate surface, the outer arcuate surface having extensions corresponding with the extensions of the inner arcuate surface to provide channels; and   beams extending through at least one of the channels.   
     
     
         2 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein one of the channels houses a portion of a sidewall panel. 
     
     
         3 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein one of the channels houses a portion of a roof. 
     
     
         4 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein the beams are formed by a pultrusion or extrusion process. 
     
     
         5 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein the outer arcuate surface has a rigid channel proximate an end of the outer arcuate surface. 
     
     
         6 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inner arcuate surface and the outer arcuate surface is formed by an extrusion process. 
     
     
         7 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein a filler material is disposed within at least one of the channels. 
     
     
         8 . The joiner of  claim 1 , wherein the inner arcuate surface and the outer arcuate surface are formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making a structural joiner, comprising the steps of:
 applying an adhesive to at least one of box beam channels of an inner arcuate surface and box beams;   coupling the box beams to the box beam channels of the inner arcuate surface;   applying an adhesive to at least one of the box beams and box beam channels of an outer arcuate surface; and   coupling the box beams to the box beam channels of the outer arcuate surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 aligning ends of the box beams with ends of inner arcuate surface prior to coupling the box beam to the inner arcuate surface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 coupling ends of a plurality of box beams together prior to coupling the plurality of box beams to the inner arcuate surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of box beams have a length substantially identical to a length of the box beam channels of the inner arcuate surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the box beam has a cross-section length in the range of about 0.75 inches to about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         14 . A structural joiner, comprising:
 beams;   an inner arcuate surface having inner beam channels, the inner beam channels being coupled to substantially half of a surface area of the beams; and   an outer arcuate surface having outer beam channels, the outer beam channels being coupled to substantially half of the surface area of the beams.   
     
     
         15 . The joiner of  claim 14 , wherein each of the beams has a length substantially equal to lengths of the inner and outer arcuate surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The joiner of  claim 14 , wherein the beam channels of the inner and outer arcuate surfaces are located proximate edges of the inner and outer arcuate surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The joiner of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the beam channels of the inner and outer arcuate surfaces couples to more than one beam. 
     
     
         18 . The joiner of  claim 14 , wherein each of the beams has a cross-section length of about 0.75 inches to about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The joiner of  claim 14 , wherein the outer arcuate surface has a rigid channel, the rigid channel having an aperture located through a wall thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The joiner of  claim 19 . wherein the wall having the aperture located there through is proximate an outer beam channel of the outer arcuate surface.